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Monthly Archives: March 2011

According to wikipedia : The expression, “Living the life of Riley” suggests an ideal contented life, possibly living on someone else’s money, time or work. Rather than a negative freeloading or golddigging aspect, it instead implies that someone is kept or advantaged.

Conversely, engineers, construction and production workers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

Wayne Campbell

The increased risk has been attributed to increased psychosocial stress, pesticides and infectious agents (especially respiratory). People in the health care field may also have a more attentive eye, and access to better specialists and quicker diagnoses – which can all play a role.

Most hypotheses come back to physical activity (link to research article), and its contribution to decreasing risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (even though farmers and fisherman are one of the most active professions, exposure to toxins may outweigh its benefits!).

i ushered in the change in seasons with a yoga workshop with the wonderful Ryan Leier (One Yoga, Saskatoon – http://www.saskatoonyoga.com) at Moksha Yoga Kelowna (www.mokshayogakelowna.com).

Ryan Leier

The first day started with a discussion on the ‘yamas’ and ‘niyamas’… or “yoga code”. Often, people start yoga and focus purely on the discipline of the physical practice; however, the foundation of yoga is living as conscious and compassionate beings.

If you’ve ever practiced yoga, you may have felt the energetic footprint of each posture… but, if you’re not in alignment/balance in body, mind and the rest of your life, this could potentially do more harm than good! Both living your life and practicing yoga poses with integrity will enable you to surrender to the experience.

energy flow

My focus the next day was about how to do asana (physical yoga postures) with a balance of effort and ease. It’s amazing how the struggles on your mat reflect those in your day-to-day life… should I relax a bit and take a break? Or really go for it? By being more aware of how you are feeling, you are able to be more compassionate with yourself – which extends to others too!

yesterday, I attended a monthly Parkinson’s support group meeting in Vernon. I go to both the Kelowna and Vernon support groups, not only to let people with PD know I’m here [ and would love for them to be involved in my research 😉 ] … but also because it is an incredible opportunity to learn!

(photo credit: Parkinson's disease Society Wales support group)

I’m always amazed at wealth of knowledge people living with PD and their caregivers have. After living with the disease day-in and day-out, they are able to…

notice subtle cognitive changes like neurologists,

(credit: stewy6.com/synapse/?cat=150)

discuss side-effects and drug-interactions like pharmacists,

(credit: cartoonstock.com)

and compensate for fluctuations in movement abilities like physios and kinesiologists!

(credit: cartoonstock.com)

There is so much wisdom to be gained by being involved with the Parkinson’s community… and older adults in general. much love.